Automatically altering and encrypting passwords in systems

ABSTRACT

In an approach for changing a password. Aspects of an embodiment of the present invention include an approach for changing a password, wherein the approach includes a processor identifies a resource protected by a password. A processor discovers at least one information source containing information relevant to a process for changing the password of the resource. A processor constructs a set of procedures to change the password using the information relevant to the process for changing the password. A processor alters the password of the resource according to the constructed set of procedures.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the field of data encryption,and more particularly to automatically discovering, changing, andencrypting passwords for systems.

A vast majority of computer programs and products are password encryptedto protect user data, user information, and the functionality ofproducts. A password is a word or string of characters used for userauthentication to prove identity or access approval to gain access to aresource and should be kept secret from those not allowed access.

With many products or programs a user's password is required to bealtered or updated after, for example, predetermined time periods haveexpired to maintain a high level of security as the user's passwordmight have been compromised. Some systems have a simple process forupdating the password, while other systems may have complex and/ordetailed procedures to update a password. The password alterationfrequency can be relatively high. For example, some banks have a policyto alter production system passwords every 3-6 months as a regularpractice. The passwords may need to be encrypted as well when usingdifferent encryption mechanisms to avoid tampering with them.

Complex systems are those systems which are composed of multiplemiddleware systems, such as application servers, databases, businessprocess management systems and portals. Different passwords might needto be altered in one or more databases, property files, administrationconsoles, archive files or additional mechanisms. For example changingthe database access user password is required in some systems which areusing the database in a specific order. Some system have their ownmechanism for storing such database passwords. The steps required toalter the passwords, if performed manually are prone to errors. Theseerrors may cause some systems to malfunction or increase system downtime.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, a computerprogram product, and a computer system for changing a password. Aspectsof an embodiment of the present invention include an approach forchanging a password, wherein the approach includes a processoridentifies a resource protected by a password. A processor discovers atleast one information source containing information relevant to aprocess for changing the password of the resource. A processorconstructs a set of procedures to change the password using theinformation relevant to the process for changing the password. Aprocessor alters the password of the resource according to theconstructed set of procedures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram depicting a computing environment, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of the operational steps taken by discoveryfunction to discover the password creation process within computingenvironment 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of the operational step taken by anencryption function to update the password of the product withincomputing environment 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram depicting the internal and externalcomponents of the server of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module”, or “system.” Furthermore,aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer programproduct embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) havingcomputer readable program code/instructions embodied thereon.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer programproduct, and computer system, to provide an approach to automaticallydiscover, modify, and encrypt a password for a systems.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe Figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of computing environment 100 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 providesan illustration of one embodiment and does not imply any limitationsregarding computing environment 100 in which different embodiments maybe implemented. In the depicted embodiment, computing environment 100includes, but is not limited to, network 102 and server 104. Computingenvironment 100 may include additional computing devices, servers,computers, components, or additional devices not shown.

Network 102 may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN)such as the Internet, any combination thereof, or any combination ofconnections and protocols that support communications between server 104and other computing devices (not shown) in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. Network 102 may include wired, wireless,or fiber optic connections.

Server 104 may be a management server, a web server, an electronicdevice or computing system capable of processing program instructionsand receiving and sending data. In some embodiments, server 104 may be alaptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer(PC), desktop computer, or any programmable electronic device capable ofcommunicating with additional devices via network 102. In additionalembodiments, server 104 may represent a server computing systemutilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in a cloudcomputing environment. In another embodiment, server 104 represents acomputing system utilizing clustered computers and nodes to act as asingle pool of seamless resources. In the depicted embodiment, server104 includes password program 106 and database 112. In additionalembodiments, server 104 may further include additional programs, storagedevices, or components (not shown). Server 104 may include components,as depicted and described in further detail with respect to FIG. 4.

Password program 106 controls the discovery, alteration, and encryptionof the password of one or more products (not shown). Each product, canbe, for example a computer program that contains a user encryptionfunction, a standalone encryption program, or other programs thatrequire a user to use a password. In one embodiment, password program106 control the discovery, alteration, and encryption of a plurality ofpasswords for a plurality of products. In the depicted embodiment,password program 106 is located on server 104. In additionalembodiments, password program 106 may be located on other serversprovided password program 106 has access to database 112. In thedepicted embodiment, password program 106 includes discovery function108 and encryption function 110. In another embodiments, discoveryfunction 108 and encryption function 110 may be functions of otherprograms, or standalone programs located on server 104, other servers,or other computing devices, provided that discovery function 108 andencryption function 110 are each accessible to password program 106.

In one embodiment, password program 106 uses natural language processingand at least one set of dictionaries and rules to perform text analyticson individual resources which password program 106 locates to determineif each individual resource contains information related to changing ormodifying passwords. Text analytics can be performed using anUnstructured Information Management Architecture (UIMA) applicationconfigured to analyze unstructured information to discover knowledgethat is relevant to password program 106, by processing plain text andidentifying entities, such as the procedures to change the password orinformation related to changing a password for the program whichpassword program computing device 106 is searching for.

Discovery function 108 discovers the password alteration process for theproduct upon which the password is being altered, and generates aprocedure to alter the password for the product. Discovery function 108analyzes product information to gather the process for altering thepassword in the product. The information may be, for example, productprovided information, information from a third party, or additionalinformation related to the process of changing the password within theproduct. Discovery function 108 uses the discovered process to generatea procedure to alter the password. In one embodiment, discovery function108 uses a standardized process notation in the generated procedures. Inanother embodiment, discovery function 108 edits the generatedprocedures once the procedures have been created. In another embodiment,discovery function 108 stores the procedures once they are created indatabase 112, or another repository for data, which is accessible bypassword program 106 and/or encryption function 110. In the depictedembodiment, discovery function 108 is a function of password program106. In another embodiments, discovery function 108 may stand alone as aprogram located on server 104, or an additional computing device,provided that discovery function 108 is accessible to password program106.

Encryption function 110 alters the password of the product within thespecifications of the user. Encryption function 110 uses the informationand procedures gathered and created by discovery function 108 to alterthe password of the product. In one embodiment, encryption function 110automatically alters the password of the product. In another embodiment,encryption function 110 alters the password of the product based on aset of predetermined instructions. In another embodiment, encryptionfunction 110 stores the old and new passwords in database 112, oranother repository for data, which is accessible by password program 106and/or discovery function 108. In another embodiment, encryptionfunction 110 reviews the procedure created by discovery function 108,and if encryption function 110 locates an error in the procedure,informs either password program 106 or discovery function 108 of theerror. In another embodiment, encryption function 110 stores thepassword for the product in database 112, or another repository fordata, which is accessible by password program 106, and/or discoveryfunction 108. In the depicted embodiment, encryption function 110 islocated within password program 106. In another embodiments, encryptionfunction 110 may stand alone as a program located on server 104, or anyadditional computing device, provided encryption function 110 isaccessible to password program 106.

Database 112 may be a repository which may be written to and/or read bypassword program 106. In one embodiment, database 112 includes, forexample, packaging utility files, encryption utilities, productresources, configuration files, property files, source codes, passwords,product procedures, and additional information related to the discovery,and encryption of passwords. In additional embodiments, database 108 maybe written to and/or read by password program 106, discovery function108, encryption function 110 and/or additional computing devices,servers, computers, components, or additional devices not shown. In oneembodiment, database 112 is a database management system (DBMS), used toallow the definition, creation, querying, update, and administration ofa database(s). In another embodiment, database 112 is a relationshipdatabase management system (RDMS). In the depicted embodiment, database112 is stored on server 104. In additional embodiments, database 112 mayreside on an alternative server, computer, or computing device, provideddatabase 112 is able to communicate with password program 106, discoveryfunction 108, encryption function 110 and/or additional computingdevices, servers, computers, components, or additional devices notshown.

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of the operational steps taken by discoveryfunction 108 to discover how the password is created and modified withincomputing environment 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. Flowchart 200 depicts the operational steps takenby discovery function 108 to discover the password process of theproduct.

In step 202, discovery function 108 identifies the product. Discoveryfunction 108 identifies a product which is used by the user, andrequires a password or other form of encryption data for the user toaccess to the product. In other embodiments, discovery function 108identifies a product which is selected by a third party for discoveryfunction 108. Discovery function 108 analyzes the product to determinethe product is the proper product. In one embodiment, discovery function108 identifies the user and the user's password associated with theproduct. In one embodiment, discovery function 108 stores thisidentified information about the product, user, and/or password in arepository. In another embodiment, discovery function 108 identifies theproduct, user, and/or password when a set of predetermined instructionsare completed.

In step 204, discovery function 108 extracts the steps to alter apassword of the product. Discovery function 108 analyzes the product tolocate information regarding the procedure of creating, and modifyingthe password, and additional aspects of the product which would assistin the alteration of the password of the product. In one embodiment,discovery function 108 analyzes the product with the use of textanalytics. In another embodiment, discovery function 108 analyzes theproduct by parsing through data related to the product to determine theinstructions to create, or modify the password. Discovery function 108analyzes information, which may be, for example, encyclopedia articles,information centers, online articles, training materials, blogs, producttutorials, product training manuals, and additional sources ofinformation regarding the product, and/or the process of altering thepassword in the product. In some embodiments, the extracted steps maybe, for example, lists, tutorials, videos, pictures, or additional filetypes which may be read by discovery function 108 and include thenecessary steps to alter the password of the product. In one embodiment,discovery function 108 extracts the steps and stores the steps indatabase 112. In one embodiment, discovery function 108 stores theinformation relevant to modifying the password in a repository. In oneembodiment, discovery function 108 analyzes the user supplied passwordfor the product. In one embodiment, a third party supplies discoveryfunction 108 with the user's password. A third party, can be forexample, the user's superior, or another person that has access to theuser's password. In another embodiment, discovery function 108 analyzesthe user's new password. In some embodiments, discovery function 108after analyzing the user's old and new password, stores this informationin a repository. In one embodiment, discovery function 108 automaticallyanalyzes the product.

In step 206, discovery function 108 constructs the procedures to alterthe password for the product. Discovery function 108 constructs theprocedure which encryption function 110 uses to alter the password ofeach respective product (see FIG. 3). In one embodiment, discoveryfunction 108 constructs the procedures to alter the password by creatingscript which encryption function 110 is capable of processing. Inanother embodiment, discovery function 108 constructs the procedures toalter the password Discovery function 108 uses the information gatheredby discovery function 108 to create a procedure or procedures whichencryption function 110 is compatible with to alter the password of theproduct. In one embodiment, discovery function 108 stores the procedurein database 112. In some embodiments, discovery function 108 does notconstruct the procedure, but replicates the procedure of the productwhich is already in place, and relays this information to encryptionfunction 110. In additional embodiments, discovery function 108 createsa procedure which is compatible with a plurality of programs. Inadditional embodiments, discovery function 108 constructs a plurality ofprocedures for a product due to multi-level password protection of theproduct and the databases, or connected products which product isrequired to communicate with to operate correctly. In one embodiment,discovery function 108 automatically creates the procedure. Inadditional embodiments, discovery function 108 creates the procedureafter a set of predetermined instructions are completed. In yet anotherembodiment, discovery function 108 requires approval of the procedurebefore continuing to the next step.

In one embodiment, discovery function 108 reviews the generatedprocedure. Discovery function 108 reviews the generated procedure to,for example, confirm the procedure works correctly, is compatible withthe product, performs within the predetermined time period, iscompatible with encryption function 110, or additional aspects of theprocedure which require a review. In one embodiment, discovery function108 performs the review automatically. In another embodiment, discoveryfunction 108 generates a report of the success/failure of the reviews.In yet another embodiment, discovery function 108 generates a reportbased on a set of predetermined requirements which the review is basedon. The predetermined requirements, can be, for example, the speed atwhich encryption function 110 can perform the procedure, the probabilityof success of the procedure, or amount of human interaction theprocedure may require. If the review fails to meet or exceed the set ofpredetermined requirements, discovery function 108 may, for example,alert a third party, restart the process, and review the procedure aplurality of times more. In some embodiments, even a procedure whichfails to meet the set of predetermined requirements, discovery function108 stores the procedure in database 112.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of the operational step taken by encryptionfunction to update the password of the product within computingenvironment 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Flowchart 300 depicts the updating of the productpassword.

In step 302, encryption function 110 identifies a password. Encryptionfunction 110 identifies the password of a user for the product which isgoing to be altered. This password is supplied by, for example, theuser, and a third party. In another embodiment, password program 106requests the user's password be supplied to encryption function 110 fromthe user. The password may be, for example, the user's old password, theuser's generated new password, a randomly generated new password for theuser, a list of passwords created by the user, a password created by athird party, or additional passwords which are to replace the oldpassword of the user. In some embodiments, the password is based on aset of predetermined characteristics which are required to be met beforethe password is eligible for use. Some of the characteristics may be,for example, an amount of characters, use of capitals, use of symbols,or a requirement that the password be different from a previouspassword. In some embodiments, encryption function 110 stores thepasswords and the information related to the passwords in database 112.In some embodiments, encryption function 110's identification of thepassword for the product is executed automatically.

In step 304, encryption function 110 selects the product. Encryptionfunction 110 selects the product which is going to be impacted by thealteration of the password. In some embodiments, there may be aplurality of products with a plurality of users, who have a plurality ofpasswords which are all to be altered. Encryption function 110 may beinstructed to alter only a specific or a set of specific users, orproducts, or passwords within the larger grouping. In some embodiments,encryption function 110 may have a time table instructing when aspecific product, user, or password, of a plurality of products, users,and passwords needs to be altered. In some embodiments, encryptionfunction 110 performs the identification of the impacted productautomatically. In one embodiment, encryption function 110 encrypts theidentified impacted product in database 112 to protect the information.

In step 306, encryption function 110 retrieve the product's passwordalteration process. Encryption function 110 gathers the product'spassword alteration process from discovery function 108 or passwordprogram 106. This process can also include the expiration date of thepassword. In some embodiments, encryption function 110 gathers theproduct's password alteration process from database 112. In someembodiments, encryption function 110 performs the identification of theproduct's password alteration process automatically. In someembodiments, encryption function 110 identifies the product's passwordalteration process through the use of, for example, java, webapplication server (WAS), or additional encryption utilities which arecapable of identifying a product's password alteration process. Theutilities may be stored on server 104, but may also be stored onexternal locations within network 102 provided encryption function 110may access the utilities. In one embodiment, encryption function 110encrypts the identified password alteration process in database 112 toprotect the information.

In step 308, encryption function 110 executes the products process.Encryption function 110 executes the product's process of updating thepassword, or inputting a new password. In some embodiments, encryptionfunction 110 performs the execution automatically. In additionalembodiments, encryption function 110 performs the execution once a setof predetermined requirements are completed. The new password may be,for example, the user's personally generated new password, anarbitrarily generated new password for the user, a list of passwordscreated by the user, a password created by a third party. In someembodiments, the password is created based on a predefined set of rules.This predefined set of rules specify how the password is to be altered.This alteration can be in the form of, for example, length, capitalletters, numbers, symbols, and other characteristics of a password. Insome embodiments, encryption function 110 has a predefined date or timewhich the password is changed on. This date can be, for example, thedate which the password is set to expire based on the product'sexpiration dates, a user defined date, or a date set by password program106.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram 400 of components of server 104, inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Itshould be appreciated that FIG. 4 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environment may be made.

Server 104 includes communications fabric 402, which providescommunications between computer processor(s) 404, memory 406, persistentstorage 408, communications unit 410, and input/output (I/O)interface(s) 412. Communications fabric 402 may be implemented with anyarchitecture designed for passing data and/or control informationbetween processors (such as microprocessors, communications and networkprocessors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any additionalhardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric402 may be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory 406 and persistent storage 408 are computer-readable storagemedia. In one embodiment, memory 406 includes random access memory (RAM)and cache memory 414. In general, memory 406 may include any suitablevolatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage media.

Memory 406 is stored for execution by one or more of the respectivecomputer processors 404 of server 104 via one or more memories of memory406 of server 104. In the depicted embodiment, persistent storage 408includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to amagnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage 408 may include a solidstate hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory(ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, orany additional computer-readable storage media which is capable ofstoring program instructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage 408 may also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 408.Additional examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives,and smart cards which are inserted into a drive for transfer ontoanother computer-readable storage medium which is also part ofpersistent storage 408.

Communications unit 410, in the examples, provides for communicationswith additional data processing systems or devices, including server104. In the examples, communications unit 410 includes one or morenetwork interface cards. Communications unit 410 may providecommunications through the use of either or both physical and wirelesscommunications links.

I/O interface(s) 412 allows for input and output of data with additionaldevices which may be connected to server 104. For example, I/O interface412 may provide a connection to external devices 416 such as a keyboard,keypad, camera, a touch screen, and/or some additional suitable inputdevice. External devices 416 may also include portable computer-readablestorage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical ormagnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practiceembodiments of the present invention, e.g., function of password program106 may be stored on such portable computer-readable storage media andmay be loaded onto persistent storage 408 of server 104 via I/Ointerface(s) 412 of server 104. Software and data used to practiceembodiments of the present invention, e.g., password program 106 may bestored on such portable computer-readable storage media and may beloaded onto persistent storage 408 of server 104 via I/O interface(s)412 of server 104. I/O interface(s) 412 also connect to a display 418.

Display 418 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be,for example, a computer monitor.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium may be a tangible device which mayretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or additionalfreely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic wavespropagating through a waveguide or additional transmission media (e.g.,light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signalstransmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein may bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, oradditional programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine,such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of thecomputer or additional programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable programinstructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage mediumthat may direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus,and/or additional devices to function in a particular manner, such thatthe computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereincomprises an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/orblock diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, additional programmable data processing apparatus, oradditional device to cause a series of operational steps to be performedon the computer, additional programmable apparatus or additional deviceto produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructionswhich execute on the computer, additional programmable apparatus, oradditional device implement the functions/acts specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, may be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer program product for changing apassword, the computer program product comprising: one or more computerreadable storage media and program instructions stored on the one ormore computer readable storage media, the program instructionscomprising: program instructions to identify a resource protected by apassword; program instructions to discover at least one informationsource containing information relevant to a process for changing thepassword of the resource, wherein the at least one information source isunstructured information, wherein program instructions to discover theat least one information source containing information relevant to theprocess for changing the password of the resource includes programinstructions to perform text analytics on the text of the at least oneinformation source; program instructions to construct a set ofprocedures to change the password using the information relevant to theprocess for changing the password, wherein program instructions toconstruct the set of procedures comprise: program instructions toanalyze the at least one information source; program instructions toextract the information relevant to the process for changing thepassword from the at least one information source; and programinstructions to construct the set of procedures to change the passwordusing the information relevant to the process for changing the password;program instructions to receive an indication of a date upon which thepassword of the resource is set to expire; program instructions to storethe set of procedures to change the password of the resource; subsequentto storing the set of procedures to change the password of the resource,program instructions to receive a request to modify the password of theresource; program instructions to retrieve the stored set of proceduresto change the password of the resource; and program instructions toalter the password of the resource according to the stored set ofprocedures, wherein altering the password of the resource according tothe constructed set of procedures occurs on or before the date uponwhich the password of the resource is set to expire, and whereinaltering the password of the resource according to the stored set ofprocedures is further based on a predefined set of rules, wherein thepredefined set of rules specify how the password is to be altered.